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David Emerson wins his Vancouver-Kingsway riding as a Liberal candidate in the federal election.
Just two weeks after being elected as a Liberal, Emerson is sworn in as a Conservative cabinet minister (Minister of International Trade). Massive public outcry follows.
Constituents in Vancouver-Kingsway organize protests demanding Emerson resign and run in a by-election. Thousands sign petitions.
Stephen Harper defends the appointment, saying Emerson brings valuable experience. Critics note the hypocrisy given Harper's attacks on Stronach's crossing.
Emerson announces he will not run in the 2008 election, avoiding what would have been a difficult campaign.
This is one of the most controversial crossings in Canadian history. Emerson was elected as a Liberal, and just TWO WEEKS later, he crossed to join Stephen Harper's new Conservative cabinet. His voters had chosen a Liberal - not a Conservative.
He was given two major cabinet posts (International Trade, then Foreign Affairs). He didn't run again in 2008 - probably knowing voters would punish him. After politics, he joined several corporate boards (Finning International, Paterson GlobalFoods) and chaired a government advisory committee on Asia-Pacific trade.
“He is an accomplished businessman and trade expert, and I am pleased that he has agreed to serve in my Cabinet.”
“I don't think voters elected me to go sit in the opposition benches and to be useless.”
“The people of Vancouver-Kingsway elected a Liberal. They didn't elect a Conservative. This makes a mockery of democracy.”
Minister of International Trade
2006-02-06 - 2007-08-14 (under Stephen Harper)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
2007-08-14 - 2008-10-30 (under Stephen Harper)
Liberal → Independent
Same party involved